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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Breaking With Tradition: The Shift to Competency-Based Learning in PLCs at Work™ represents the synthesis of our professional work as school leaders. Since 2006, we have worked together as part of a highly functioning and dynamic school leadership team in the Sanborn Regional School District in New Hampshire. In addition, the connections and partnerships we have developed over the years with other individuals and organizations similarly engaged in this important work also shape this book.

We are forever indebted to our editors, Amy Rubenstein and Suzanne Kraszewski, and the incredible team at Solution Tree, especially Evie Madsen, Miranda Addonizio, and Rian Anderson, who helped guide and shape our work, as well as to Douglas Rife for believing in our vision. The influence of many Solution Tree authors is evident throughout this book. We thank all of you, none more so than Rick and Becky DuFour, for the tremendous work you have done in helping educators throughout the world understand ways to better support students and teachers everywhere.

To our school leadership team at Sanborn, we could not have developed our understanding and experiences as school leaders around competency-based learning without the team’s collaborative efforts and willingness to “jump into the deep end of the pool.” Our schools’ transformations are a reflection of everyone’s hard work and dedication. We would like to thank Brian Blake for his resolute leadership over the years as well as our team members Deb Bamforth, Brian Buckley, Michelle Catena, Carol Coppola, Bob Ficker, Jodi Gutterman, Ann Hadwen, Ellen Hume-Howard, Donna Johnson, Vicki Parady-Guay, Jennifer Pomykato, Annie Rutherford, Sandy Rutherford, Michael Shore, and Michael Turmelle. Additionally, to the incredible Sanborn educators who we have had the honor and pleasure to work with in our schools: thank you. You are an inspiration and exemplars for always putting students and learning first, and for being willing to travel down an unpaved road knowing that there must be a better way to support students.

We owe gratitude to countless professionals who work on competency-based learning nationally for taking time to contribute, inform, and guide us through the development of this book, including Chris Sturgis and Susan Patrick of CompetencyWorks (www.competencyworks.org) and the International Association for K–12 Online Learning (www.inacol.org), New Hampshire Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Paul Leather, and national competency-based learning specialist Rose Colby—for not only her mentorship since the beginning of our journey but also for her ongoing feedback and support as we worked through the writing process.

We would like to thank our many local, state, and national colleagues and partners who continue to strive to make learning experiences better for all students. Your hard work, dedication, and effort are inspiring. We would also like to thank our many colleagues who have reviewed our work and provided valuable insight as professional practitioners. A special thank-you goes to Mike Hopkins and Kyle Repucci, superintendent and assistant superintendent of Rochester School Department (New Hampshire); Kathleen Murphy, special education coordinator of Allenstown School District (New Hampshire); Karen Perry and Aaryn Schmuhl of Henry County Schools (Georgia); Jeff Heyck-Williams of Two Rivers Public Charter School (Washington, DC); Mary Hastings of Great Schools Partnership (Maine); Brian Pickering, former principal of ConVal Regional High School (New Hampshire); Dr. David M. Richards, superintendent of Fraser Public Schools (Michigan); Robert Scully, principal of Souhegan High School (New Hampshire); John Freeman, superintendent of Pittsfield School District SAU#51 (New Hampshire); Dan French of the Center for Collaborative Education (http://cce.org); and Virgel Hammonds, chief learning officer of KnowledgeWorks (www.knowledgeworks.org).

Last, and most important, we could not have undertaken the monumental task of putting our thoughts on paper without the endless support of our families and friends.

To my beautiful wife, Erica, you are and always will be my biggest cheerleader, my rock, and my best friend. To my children Brady, Cameron, Liam, Owen, and Zoey, dream the impossible and always remember that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. To my parents, Michael and Maria, thank you for your continual support, love, and inspiration along the way.

—Brian

Thank you, with love and gratitude, to my amazing wife, Stephanie. I am forever grateful to you for your love, support, and belief in me. And to Grace, Garrett, and Will, for being the beautiful and wonderful people you are. You each inspire me to be the best person I can be, and I am blessed to learn from and grow with each of you every day. Thank you, as well, to my mom, Linda, my sisters, Wendy and Amy, and to Brian, Nathaniel, James, and Judith for your unending support and love. And to Dad, who still guides me and always will.

—Jon

Solution Tree Press would like to thank the following reviewers:

Rick Bell

Assistant Principal

New Prague Middle School

New Prague, Minnesota

Paul Cone Jr.

Middle School Principal

Canisteo-Greenwood Central School

Canisteo, New York

Julie Delaney

Principal

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School

Davenport, Iowa

Tim Garcia

Principal

McCook Elementary School

McCook, Nebraska

Brig Leane

Principal

Fruita Middle School

Fruita, Colorado

Michael Roberts

Principal

Desert View Elementary

Hermiston, Oregon

Ryan Rydstrom

Associate Principal

Prairie Point Middle School and Ninth-Grade Academy

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Justin Syroka

Principal

Cheshire Elementary School

Delaware, Ohio

Cindy Washinowski

Principal

West Middle School

Sioux City, Iowa